Black Blade of Chaos

[Grodech]

BI bonus d6 if necessary (1d6)[4]

[Gryndel]

Rd 10
Magnus hacks the undead naga into a pile of broken bones. Chest heaving, drooling and bleeding, he stands over the destroyed remains. As the rage subsides he notices a bag under the bones of the naga.

Riley casts his last spell, Healing Word, on Magnus. He retrieves his dagger and starts searching the walls. First he just looks, then spends a while fingering and tapping the stone softly with the pommel of a dagger.

Healing Word @L2 (2d4+5)[11]
Perception (1d20+6)[20]
Investigation (1d20+4)[14]

Akiren looks around a bit, then says, "Get some rest, count up the treasure, I'll go back outside and watch for signs of kobolds. One of you relieve me on watch in about 4 hours."

He conceals himself in the ruins just outside the basement entrance. After a short rest, he begins actively patrolling the area and searching for signs of kobolds.

Hit dice short rest (1d10+2)[8]
If needed (1d10+2)[4]
If needed (1d10+2)[5]
Survival (+6 adv) (1d20+6)[8]

Wounds
Magnus 2

[Gryndel]

Riley spends ten minutes in ritual casting to determine that the bag is magic, another ten minutes to identify it as a Bag of Holding.

Inside is found a cloak, a pair of boots and a small vial. Another ritual casting of Detect Magic reveals all are enchanted. Thirty minutes later he Identifies them as a Cloak of Displacement, Winged Boots, and an Elixir of Health a Potion of Vitality.

During this time Magnus gets a short rest (using 1 HD gets him to full HP) while he slowly collects and counts up the coins.

1500 sp
150 gp

[Gryndel]

Day 5

The next morning they set out to search deeper into the ruins. Several traps are spotted and avoided, primarily due to Akiren's knowledge of the ways of his hated enemies. No kobolds are spotted, as expected, since sunlight seems to hinder their vision.

A few other partial foundations and crumbled walls are discovered and cautiously explored throughout the day as Akiren guides them around. Moving ever closer toward the center, they find nothing of note until they reach it.

There they discover a carved tunnel 10' wide and 15' high. It's located in the middle of the ruins, in what was once a lavish compound. Now only minor rubble and buried foundations remain beyond the four crumbled pillars in the center that surround the tunnel. It delves north at a slight angle down under the surface.

[Gryndel]

Akiren says softly, "I have magic to enhance our stealth." He casts Pass Without Trace (+10 stealth).

Riley grins, "I can turn Magnus and myself invisible." He does so with a spell and a touch. He flies just above and behind Magnus, touching the tip of one boot to the back of Magnus' head.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Stealth check (+10)
Magnus gets advantage from Invisibility

Akiren (1d20+18)[22]
Riley (adv +15) (1d20)[6](6) should've been 2d20
Advantage (1d20+15)[24]

Concentration
Akiren Pass w/o Trace
Riley Invisibility (self & Magnus)

[Grodech]

"I only see one problem with that plan." Magnus says. "We're headed down into darkness again. I know Riley can see in the dark, but I can't. That means I need a light source. Typically I would use the axe, but what's that just going to do if we're invisible?"

[Gryndel]

Akiren grins at Magnus, "I've noticed your trouble with the dark, so I learned a new spell to help you."

He casts Darkvision on Magnus.

[Grodech]

"Excellent." Magnus says. "Thanks." Then he says to Riley "I assume you'll stay out of reach since I won't be able to see you." He draws his axe, but does not activate the light, and proceeds forward.

[Gryndel]

Riley chuckles and flies above Magnus, "No worries, I'll just fly above."

The tunnel extends for 300' before ending in what was once a cave in. Now there are a dozen or so small tunnels, roughly hewn and twisting through the rubble. None are the same size, varying between 2-4' high and 1-3' wide, and all have sharp angles in different directions. None look very stable or safe, with loose rocks and dirt and protruding rock spikes and jagged edges.

Looking into a few they each split into at least two more, and some have more branches. After searching around a bit Akiren says softly, "Looks like all the tunnels are used by kobolds. I suppose it doesn't matter which one we choose, but we should stay together."

Riley looks nervous as he says, "Since they're so small, I'll go first."

Akiren starts to protest when Riley speaks from within a tunnel, "Hurry along, try not to get stuck."

Akiren shrugs, "Since I can't see you I should go next." Thinking his bow would just hinder him, he slings it and draws a ahortsword.

[Grodech]

Magnus follows behind Akiren. He has to put away the axe in order to traverse the tunnels.

[Gryndel]

The tunnels intersect often and soon turn into a confusing maze. Riley seems to be confident in knowing the way. It's rough going for the other two, both having to squeeze, bend, and often crawl to get through. There are small traps scattered about, most are easily avoided, but take time to go around. No kobolds are detected in the maze.

Dex save for all DC13 (Magnus adv)
Akiren (1d20+8)[18]
Riley [roll]1d20+5[/roll
Fail = small trap (1d6+2)[6]

Just a minute or so before the Invisibility and Pass w/o Trace spells expire they see an opening ahead leading into a much larger open space. The small tunnel opens into the middle of a longer wall in a 200' long, 40' wide natural cavern. The ceiling varies between 30-75', the middle being the highest. Very dim light emits from above, just enough to barely make the entire chamber visible.

The left end is dominated by a huge set of closed double doors made from some dark metal. There are no handles and an eight pointed star is inlaid in dark blue metal across both doors.

The right end consists of many tunnels of various sizes. The kobold chieftain, his two bodyguards, 5 winged kobolds and a dozen other kobolds are clustered around the central tunnel, apparently ready to fight there or flee deeper. None move or make a sound, and don't seem to have noticed the group..

Akiren sheathes his sword and pulls out his bow.

[Gryndel]

Grrr, bracket!

Riley (1d20+5)[7]

[Grodech]

Magnus Dex save: (1d20+4)[20]
Advantage Dex save: (1d20+4)[17]

[Gryndel]

Only Riley got wounded by a small trap.

So what's the plan?

Surprise attack? Currently 100' away, Riley & Magnus Invisible, Pass w/o Trace still going (must stay within 30' of Akiren).
Speak to them?
Ignore them and check out the doors?
Go home and play tiddlywinks?

[Grodech]

Well, the whole point of the invisibility was surprise attack, and Magnus is irritated by having to crawl through all the tunnels, so he'd like to kill some kobolds.

How far from them are the kobolds (seems like it might be in the neighborhood of 100 ft), and can he get to the chieftain?

[Gryndel]

The chieftain is 100' away to start, standing at the entrance to the largest tunnel there. His 2 bodyguards are in front of him, so 95' away. The winged kobolds are flying just above him. The others are clustered around him.

So its impossible to get to him physically.

Through a whispered, quick conversation you guys can plan an attack.

When Magnus is within a single move from them Riley will cast Shatter, hopefully clearing out some of them.

Akiren will hang back a bit and start shooting at the same time, targeting the chieftain.

!

[Grodech]

Sounds good.

Just to clarify, if Magnus tries an eldritch blast, his invisibility would end, correct?

[Gryndel]

Yes, it last up to an hour, or until you attack or cast a spell.

[Grodech]

So then in accordance with the plan, Magnus advances towards the kobolds.

[Gryndel]

Ok, given conditions and the plan surprise round just goes in order. Then we'll roll Initiative.

Riley casts Shatter, which affects the chieftain, the bodyguards, and 4 other kobolds, then moves to the left. The spell booms loudly upon detonation, echoing throughout the cavern. It kills the 4 kobolds closest to their leader and wounds the chieftain (10 dmg) and his bodyguards (10/5).

Magnus charges in...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

The bodyguards are still in front of the chieftain but no others right around him. So Magnus can go left or right of them and attack the chieftain from the side.

Might as well reckless attack since they get no turn to take advantage.

Wounds
Chieftain 10
BG1 10
BG2 5

[Grodech]

He'll go after the chieftain.

Attack: (1d20+9)[25]
Advantage from Reckless Attack: (1d20+9)[18]
Damage: (1d12+6)[18]

[Gryndel]

Magnus charges in and attacks the chieftain, scoring a nasty hit (18 dmg).

Akiren casts Hunter's Mark on the chieftain and shoots two arrows at him. One hits and kills him (26 dmg = DEAD). He then uses a horde breaker attack at a bodyguard (BG1 = DEAD) and moves to the middle of the cavern.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative
Bodyguard 19
Riley 19
Kobolds 17
Akiren 15
Magnus 10
Winged kobolds 7

Wounds
Chieftain DEAD
BG2 5
Riley 6

[Gryndel]

Initiative
Akiren (1d20+5)[15]
Riley +3 adv (2d20)[2][16](18)
Kobolds (1d20+2)[17]
Winged kobolds (1d20+3)[7]
Bodyguards (1d20+4)[19]
Chieftain (1d20+4)[24]

[Gryndel]

Since it lasts up to 10 minutes until used, Riley would've given Magnus and Akiren Bardic Inspiration.

It's a d8 now. Akiren is using his on the first attack, whith min roll = hit, so 26 dmg = DEAD.

So ignore his Initiative...

[Grodech]

Magnus Init: (1d20+8)[18]

[Gryndel]

Rd 1
As the chieftain dies, the remaining bodyguard attacks Magnus with a spear. The lunging attack misses.

Riley casts shatter again, the booming spell focused on the winged kobolds. Thundering magic blasts all but one into death as their corpses plummet to the ground.

Magnus...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative
Bodyguard 19
Riley 19
Magnus 18
Kobolds 17
Akiren 15
Magnus 10
Winged kobolds 7

Wounds
BG2 5
Riley 6
Winged kobold 8

[Grodech]

Magnus goes into a rage and attacks the bodyguard that lunged at him.

Attack: (1d20+9)[17]
Damage: (1d12+8)[18]
Frenzied attack: (1d20+9)[12]
Damage: (1d12+8)[10]

[Gryndel]

Rd 1
Magnus attacks the bodyguard in a rage, cutting it down with one swing of his axe. He steps over to the nearest kobold and kills it with a sideways swipe.

The other kobolds on the ground flee into the small tunnels (Magnus gets 1 AoO).

Akiren moves Hunter's Mark to the winged one and shoots. The first arrow slays it, and with no other foes in sight he rushes to follow the fleeing kobolds.

Rd 2
Riley moves closer to the carnage and casts Detect Magic, "The chieftain's shortsword and crossbow are magic.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative
Riley 19
Magnus 18
Kobolds 17
Akiren 15

Wounds
Riley 6

[Grodech]

Magnus AOO: (1d20+9)[14]
Damage: (1d12+8)[9]

[Grodech]

Magnus ends his rage.

"I'm not chasing those bastards through those little tunnels."

ooc: Was the central tunnel larger?